The best tech gadgets for your next road trip
When it comes to road trips, getting there is half the fun—at least if you have some good music playing, some interesting podcasts in your queue, and the best road trip accessories and gadgets for your journey.
Need some recommendations? At Asurion, we don't just fix and protect your favorite devices, we can help you get the most out of them, whether you want to summerproof your tech or use your smart phone to travel stress-free. Here are our expert picks for must-have road trip gadgets.
A USB or Lightning cable
It sounds almost too simple, but if you have a 2016 or later model car and a USB or Lightning cable, you can attach your phone to your vehicle for a better, safer, and more convenient way to use your apps. If you have an iPhone®, you can use Apple CarPlay®. If you have an Android™ phone, you can connect to Android Auto. Both mirror your smartphone on the car's dashboard screen. Cool, right?
A car phone mount
Don't have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto? No problem. Attach a device like the iOttie® Easy One Touch 4 Dash & Windshield Car Mount or the Scosche® MAGDMB MagicMount to your dashboard for convenience and safety. That way you can keep your phone handy when you load a new playlist or switch to that podcast you've been saving for the road.
A portable Wi-Fi hotspot
Everything's better on a road trip when you've got Wi-Fi. If the equipment in your car doesn't include a router, you have two options: Buy a dedicated hotspot or turn your smartphone into one.
Turn your smartphone into a hotspot
You can use your smartphone as a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot to connect with other devices anywhere you have mobile service. Most smartphones have built-in features that let you quickly turn on a Wi-Fi hotspot from the Settings or App menu. Just remember to check with your wireless phone carrier to find out whether additional charges apply.
To learn more, check out our step-by-step guide on how to use your iPhone or Android phone as a mobile hotspot.
Buy a mobile hotspot
If you want to save your phone's data and battery, another option for connecting to the internet on the go is with a mobile hotspot like the Skyroam® Solis Lite or the Verizon® Jetpack Hotspot. Both are reasonably priced 4G LTE mobile devices with long-lasting batteries and their own data plans. (The Jetpack is for Verizon customers only).
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A power inverter
A compact, fast-charging power inverter like the BESTEK® Power Inverter with Dual USB Car Adapter or the Duracell® High Power Inverter with USB Port taps the power in your car battery to charge all the devices on your packing list.
These power inverters even have AC outlets for charging larger devices, like laptops and tablets, and USB ports to charge devices like your phone or camera.
Noise-canceling headphones
Need some alone time on the road? Noise-canceling headphones allow you to listen to music or podcasts without disturbing anyone else in the car.
Try travel headphones like Bose® QuietComfort OverEar headphones, which allow you to switch between Quiet and Aware modes to filter outside noise, or check out a compact set of AirPods®, which you can easily pair to your devices.
One warning: Don't wear these headphones while driving—it's dangerous. This recommendation is for passengers only.
A dash cam
Want to turn an hours-long trip into a short, time-lapse video? You can do that and more—such as record a fender bender or get a warning if you're veering into another lane—with a dash cam like the Garmin® Dash Cam™ 57 or the Vantrue® N4. Just make sure to keep your eyes on the road.
A car diagnostic scanner
If you hear a strange bump or clang coming from your engine when you're driving on a remote road, you'll be glad to have a device that can tell you what's up.
Consider a car diagnostic scanner like the Motopower® MP69033 Car Scanner Code Reader or the Ancel® AD310 Engine Code Reader ODB2 Car Diagnostic Scanner. Both devices share error codes for car trouble as well as other data like engine coolant temperature.
A device tracker
If you're an iPhone user, you can use an AirTag® to keep track of your luggage, keys, gaming console—or even your car—on your road trip. Android or iOS® users can find misplaced items with a little help from a Tile® Pro Bluetooth® Tracker.
An e-reader
Sure, you can read on your phone. But you can read by car window light with less eye strain on your road trip with an e-book reader like the light and compact Amazon Kindle® or the waterproof Rakuten® Kobo® Clara 2E. You need Wi-Fi to download books, but not to read them, so make sure to make your reading list ahead of time.
A portable, electric coffee maker
Roadside coffee is notoriously bad. A travel coffee maker can make your trip. Take a look at the CERA+® Portable Electric Coffee Maker, which has a rechargeable battery and makes cold or hot brew, or the Wacaco® Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker, which is the size of a standard flashlight and makes great espresso to keep you alert on your trip.
Need more ideas for how to use our tech on the road? Check out our guide for more tips on how to get the most out of your tech while traveling.
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